Goverment urged to back book scheme

LOTHIANS Green MSP Robin Harper has praised Scotland's Bookbug scheme to encourage young readers and warned the Scottish Government not to repeat the funding fiasco over a similar scheme in England.

The Scottish Book Trust initiative gives free packs of books to pre-school and P1 pupils in a bid to foster a lifelong love of reading.

South of the border, Education Secretary Michael Gove was forced to interrupt his Christmas break to announce a U-turn after protests at the withdrawal of funding from the Bookstart, Booktime and Booked Up programmes for children in England.

In a motion at the Scottish Parliament, Mr Harper "commends all those who campaigned in support of these important programmes" hails Bookbug as "an important and excellent start for all babies, toddlers and children" and urges the Scottish Government to continue its funding.